A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels - Volume 05 eBook

on all fours, after which his Indians carried him
off to some more secure place than the former, as
he was never more seen. The Spanish escort returned
much ashamed of themselves to Soto, pretending that
Capasi and his attendants must have been carried off
through the air, as it was impossible for him to have
got away from among them in any other manner.
Soto prudently accepted of this excuse, saying with
a smile that the story was very probable as the Indians
were notable sorcerers. He was unwilling to punish
his men for their negligence, being always more desirous
to gain the affection of his soldiers by kind usage,
as far as consistent with military discipline, that
they might be ready to endure the fatigue and danger
he expected to encounter in the prosecution of his
enterprise.

SECTION V.

Continuation of the Transactions of Ferdinand de
Soto in Florida[151].

[Footnote 151: Herrera, V. 507.—­541.]

We have already mentioned that Soto, having determined
to spend the winter 1539 at Apalache, sent a detachment
back to Harrihiagua on the bay of the Holy Ghost,
to bring away Captain Calderon and the men who had
been left there. This detachment consisted of
thirty horse under the command of Juan de Anasco.
On coming to the ford of the river Ocali, Anasco was
obliged to pass it by means of rafts, as the river
was flooded; and though they used the utmost diligence,
the Indians were up in arms on both sides of the river
to oppose him, so that the Spaniards had to fight
both to the front and rear while their baggage, horses,
and selves were wafted over. Having got safely
over, they found it necessary to go to the town, as
one of their comrades was quite benumbed in passing
the river. Believing the Spaniards more numerous
than they really were, the Indians only defended their
town till their wives and children were got away to
a place of safety, and then abandoned the place, of
which Anasco took possession. The Spaniards made
four large fires in the marketplace, on purpose to
restore their benumbed comrade, to whom likewise they
gave the only clean shirt they had among them.
They likewise dried their clothes and saddles, which
had been all wetted in passing the river, and furnished
their wallets with provisions from the stores of the
Indians. In the mean time, ten horses at once
were allowed to feed, while all the rest stood ready
bridled in case of attack. About midnight an
alarm was given by the centinels of the approach of
a numerous body of Indians; on which the whole party
mounted, tying the benumbed man who was now somewhat
recovered, fast upon his horse which was led by another
soldier, and set off on their march with so much expedition
that they were five leagues from the town by day-break
next morning. In this manner they continued their
journey with as little delay as possible, going on
at a round trot wherever they found the country inhabited,
and walking their horses in passing through the wilderness.